tara wayne

MARCH 26, 2022

PHOTOS BY MEGHAN GRAY

Ceremony Venue: Mountain Brook Baptist Church

Reception Venue: The Country Club of Birmingham

Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Seamless

Weddings & Events Florist: Marigold Design Caterer: The Country Club of Birmingham Cake: Magic Muffins

Wedding Dress: Ivory and White Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair:

Perfectly Undone Beauty Makeup: Cosmetics by Mackenzie Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear

Stationery: Annabelle’s Calligraphy: Jan Pruitt

Calligraphy DJ/Wedding Band: Fountain City Players

Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation

I remember first meeting Wayne at Mountain Brook Junior High. It was Spartan Day when rising 7th graders tour the junior high with rising 9th graders, and he was my “web leader.” He remembers nothing since I was just one of 15 in his tour group, but I remember thinking how he made everyone feel seen and welcomed. It wasn’t until we both were back in Birmingham after attending the University of Alabama when we truly “met each other” on a blind date set up by mutual friends.

During our first summer dating, Wayne had just left corporate accounting to work at Alpine Camp for Boys where he had camped growing up. One night on our way up to Alpine for dinner with friends, we got caught in standstill traffic and were late to our supposed dinner. We finally pulled up to the top of camp near the fly fishing pond. Wayne and I got out of the car and walked to the edge of the pond where he dropped down on one knee. I later realized that this proposal spot would be the backyard of the house we would stay at during summers after we were married.

After we had said our vows and exchanged rings, our guests sang a congregational prayer of blessing over us and our marriage. It was a blessing Wayne grew up singing on Alpine Sundays called “May the Lord Mighty God” (sung to the Tune of Edelweiss).

During the summer when we were dating long distance, Wayne would always bring me my favorite flowers. I now look back and think of that time as the summer of hydrangeas. I knew immediately as we started planning a wedding that I wanted to incorporate hydrangeas in our flower mix as a nod to that summer of us falling in love.

Engagement Rings: Levys Fine Jewelry Venue: Park Crest Event Facility Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Courtney Bell with La Belle Vie Videography: Jamison Skinner Photography Florist: Carl Cassidy with Lola’s Florist Caterer: Park Crest Event Facility Cake: Magic Muffins Wedding Dress: Promenade Bridesmaid Dresses: Dear Cleo Bridal Hair/Makeup: Asia Nicole Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Annabelle’s DJ/Wedding Band: Third Generation Band Wedding Transportation: Rare Transportation and Dream Drives BHM Favors: Sip, Sip Hooray

Jimmy and I met playing kickball in the fall of 2015. We were friends for several years before he asked me to Phoenix Ball in 2019. The rest was history!

THE PROPOSAL

Jimmy asked me to go to dinner with his family. On the way there, he said he wanted to see “a new area” of the Cannonball Factory walking trail. This was right on the way to his parents’ house, so it didn’t seem like a crazy idea. Once we got to the Cannonball Factory and walked a little bit, he suddenly stopped and said, “We have a lot of fun together, don’t we?” I said yes! Then he asked, “Well do you want to have fun forever?” He got down on one knee and proposed! His god sister was waiting in the bushes, taking pictures! We had a big party at his parents’ house with family and friends. I had no idea!

FAVORITE WEDDING MOMENT

Turning around at the end of the ceremony and seeing all the wonderful family and friends that showed up! The sunset was beautiful that day too, so it made our outdoor ceremony even more special.

FAVORITE WEDDING DETAILS

Our marque letters (Say It in Lights, LLC), balloons (Top Knot Parties) and our polaroid guest book were some favorites! We also had a bagpiper, Ryan Morrison, that played some songs, including the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” It was a unique musical addition that went well with the violin players and the outside atmosphere of our ceremony.

Ceremony Venue: Independent Presbyterian Church

Reception Venue: The Country Club of Birmingham Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Kalee Baker

Events Florist: Buffy Hargett Flowers Caterer : The Country Club of Birmingham Cake: Pen and Pastry (Bride’s Cake) and Barb’s Cakes (Groom’s Cake) Wedding Dress: Carriage House Weddings Bridesmaid

Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Bridal Hair/Makeup: Abby Moorer Groom’s Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Groomsmen Attire: Mr. Burch Formal Wear Stationery: Ledgewood Fine Stationery Calligraphy: Jennifer Reynolds DJ/Wedding Band: Hi Definition Wedding

Transportation: Prideline Transportation Wedding Night Accommodations: The Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook

We met in college as a sophomore and a senior but did not start dating until my senior year. When the world shut down for Covid, I came home from school earlier than expected, and we got to spend way more time together. It was the best surprise, and the time we needed to grow our relationship. Fast forward two years, and we were getting married and starting our new lives as husband and wife in Birmingham!

Gaines’ parents bought a house on a road that overlooks the city. He told me we were going up there to look over the new architect plans before heading to dinner with his family. I totally believed him! When we got up there no one else was there, and he proposed on a sweet spot in their front yard. We both shed many, many tears and enjoyed a bottle of champagne together. It was the most special night!

If we had to choose a favorite, the first look was so special to both of us because we felt like we were finally able to breathe and relax and enjoy the moment with just each other before all of the festivities began. We actually got to do it on the exact spot where he proposed, which made for the best pictures and even better memories.

We really wanted simple but elegant details whites, blues and other neutrals. The liner on our invitation was actually called ‘The Charlotte’ and kind of served as the mood board for all of our details. It was blue with champagne-colored sprinkles and a floral design. We had roses hanging from white ribbon as our centerpiece over the bar. Everything from the candles on the banquets, to the liner printed on the bar, to the full-room draping played a special part in the design. It was such a dream, and we could not have been more pleased with how everything turned out!

Ceremony Venue: Canterbury United Methodist Church Reception Venue: The Country Club of Birmingham Wedding Planner/Day Of Coordinator: Lindsey McGehee Florist: Marigold Designs Caterer: The Country Club of Birmingham Cake: Barb’s Cakes

Wedding Dress: McClendon Bridals Bridesmaid

Dresses: Anthropologie Bridal Hair: Cahaba Roots

Bridal Makeup: Carol & Leslie Makeup Artistry Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply Stationery: Arzberger Stationers

Calligraphy: Julia Babis DJ/Wedding Band: City Party Band Wedding Night Accommodations: John Hand Club Hotel

It depends on who you ask! Daniel remembers meeting me in February 2017 at a house concert in Arlington, Virginia, but I don’t remember meeting Daniel until July 2017 during a group trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We remained only peripheral friends until October 2020, when Daniel asked me out. The first date went better than either of us were expecting, leaving us both surprised by the ease and richness of conversation from a single dinner.

Daniel took me on a day venture to Shenandoah National Park. We drove out early Saturday morning on July 24 and hiked up to an overlook called Mary’s Rock. After refueling with some salami, cheese and crackers–which was a major stray from Daniel’s granola bars he typically packs–he handed me a letter. I read his note, which said many wonderful things about an envisioned life together. I finished reading and looked up to a teary-eyed Daniel getting down on one knee, asking me to marry him.

During our ceremony and right after we exchanged vows, the congregation sang a hymn, “We Will Feast in the House of Zion,” and during it, Daniel and I were kneeling at the altar of the sanctuary, hand in hand. This was certainly the most impactful moment of our wedding day.

On the Thursday evening of wedding weekend, we held a backyard party at my childhood home and continued the festivities into Friday night with a post-toast reception at Good People Brewing. Daniel and I also wanted to give a nod to where we met and the community of friends that brought us together, so our cups showcased the “Virginia is for Lovers” state slogan in bright green.